Group Leader

About Us

Harlem Grown is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability and nutrition. We operate local urban farms, increase access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provide farm-based development programs to Harlem youth.

Founded in 2011 by Tony Hillery with one school partnership, one urban farm and an idea to help Harlem children, today Harlem Grown’s farms and greenhouses are used as classrooms and as venues to cultivate a connection to the environment and food among young people. Harlem Grown operates 14 urban agricultural sites featuring soil-based urban farms, hydroponic greenhouses, and a mushroom chamber.  All of our sites are located between 122^nd and 152^nd Streets in Central Harlem, Manhattan. 

Our Programs

Harlem Grown cultivates deep community roots by growing fresh food, strong youth, and lasting relationships. We meet children where they live, learn, and grow—offering opportunities that extend beyond our farms to the classroom and into their futures. Through Food and Farm Education, we help youth build healthy habits, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to their community. Our urban farms provide free produce and nutritious meals for families while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. Through 14 urban farms and year-round programming, we provide free produce, nutritious meals, and cooking lessons while creating joyful spaces for connection and support. In addition, our programs increase economic opportunity for families and develop leadership and advocacy skills so participants can drive transformational change in their communities.

At Harlem Grown, we grow healthy children and communities through hands-on education, access to resources, and long-term youth support. Our Food and Farm Education —including summer camp, in-school and after-school programs, mobile education, service learning, and farm tours—delivers farm-based lessons to children in our community. We offer free community resources like farmstands, Saturdays on the farm, and events that provide fresh food and create spaces for support and connection. Through academic support, internships, and career readiness programs, we help our young people build confidence and skills to thrive from elementary school through adulthood.

Type: Part-time | Hourly 

Location: Various community center/school locations available in Harlem 

Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 2pm-6pm; Occasional Saturdays | Wednesday: 1pm-6pm 

Our Programs 

Harlem Grown provides youth and community development programs focused on urban farming, wellness, and sustainability through the lens of racial justice, food justice, social justice, and equity. Our youth-focused programs include intensive school partnerships, educational farm tours, a summer camp, a Saturday enrichment program, and a DYCD COMPASS afterschool program. 

Position Overview: 

The Group Leader supports Harlem Grown’s DYCD COMPASS after school and summer programs by under the guidance of Activity Specialists to support the facilitation of food, farm, STEM, cooking, wellness, arts, and enrichment activities for youth. Group Leaders help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment through positive behavior management, homework assistance, youth engagement, and day to day classroom support while helping maintain program expectations, safety procedures, and DYCD and DOH compliance standards. Additional responsibilities include assisting with administrative tasks, snack distribution, attendance tracking, and leading student pick up from partner school sites and safely transporting participants to Harlem Grown program locations. 

Responsibilities:  

Program Delivery & Youth Engagement 

• Lead student pick-up from local Public Schools to Harlem Grown after-school site 

• Assist with prep and delivery of activities that prepare youth for academic success. (i.e.: Homework Help) 

• Maintain child safety and classroom management  

• Provide active supervision of participants during all program activities, transitions, meals, field trips, and dismissal to ensure youth safety and engagement. 

• Maintain the area environment that facilitates the achievement of youth development outcomes. 

• Assist in facilitating engaging standards-aligned STEM activities rooted in food, farming, sustainability, nutrition, wellness, cooking, and environmental education.  

• Collaborate with Activity Specialists and Program Management to ensure activities are well-organized, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with program goals.  

• Build strong relationships with youth and their families and contribute to a supportive program space  

• Follow and model a positive behavior management approach that promotes guidance, reinforces Harlem Grown’s values, and supports a respectful, nurturing environment.  

• Participate in training and professional development sessions.  

Program Implementation  

• Assist with preparation, setup, and cleanup for daily programming.  

• Maintain a safe, structured, and engaging program environment by adhering to Harlem Grown’s internal protocols, DYCD requirements, and all relevant health and safety guidelines.  

• Maintain accurate daily attendance records for all participants, ensuring timely entry, tracking, and follow up   

• Participate in staff meetings, training, and program events.  

• Represent Harlem Grown at community events, school visits, or farm-based learning experiences.  

• Support data collection, reflection, and continuous improvement efforts as directed by program leadership.  

• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications:

Required  

• High School Diploma or equivalent  

• 18 years or older 

• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching, coaching, or facilitating programs with children under age 13 years.  

• Necessary content knowledge, experience, and skills to effectively implement activities as required 

• Ability to engage and motivate youth across grades K–5.  

• Strong classroom management and communication skills.  

• Comfort working outdoors and doing hands on garden work  

• Ability to bend, kneel, and lift up to 50lbs of gardening and programming supplies  

• Energetic, reliable, and team-oriented; able to work independently and collaboratively.  

• Commitment to Harlem Grown’s mission.  

• Meet OCFS background check requirements.  

Preferred  

• Strong connection to Harlem or similar urban communities.  

• Associate’s degree in education, youth development, social work, or related field.  

• Familiarity with DYCD COMPASS program standards and OCFS SACC regulations.  

• Experience integrating sustainability, urban farming, or nutrition education into instruction.  

• Bilingual (Spanish fluency a plus)  

At Harlem Grown, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. We are an equal opportunity employer, and are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, where each individual feels as if their identity, experience, and values are represented and supported. We are dedicated to creating a space where children, especially those of color, are given the opportunity and skills to lead healthy and ambitious lives. We strongly believe in building a team that reflects and appreciates the underrepresented population of students, families, and people that we serve. Become a member of our family.